Azula couldn't sleep.
Not when she knew what was to happen in the morning.
Not when every time she closed her eyes and managed to doze off, she was shocked awake.
The dreams were always the same. Nightmares.
Zuko dying right in front of her.
Bleeding from his eyes and mouth, clutching her robe as he fell to the ground and choked.
Screaming in pain as he burst into flame, skin blackened, flesh melting.
Left to succumb to the elements, a bloated corpse in a cage for the sport of the raven-crows that had already plucked his eyes out of their sockets.
She'd seen her brother die half a dozen times this night alone, in all of the most horrible ways. And yet she knew nothing could prepare her for what was still to come. Whatever vile thing it was that would appease the man she loved, the man sleeping utterly peaceful beside her without a single care in the world.
Another sin. He'd kill his own son and for him, there would be no tears or sleepless nights.
And worse yet, she couldn't even hate him for it.
What did that make her?
She knew Zuko didn't deserve death, no matter what his crimes, and she was just going to stand by and let it happen… perhaps she was the one who truly deserved this fate. She was to blame for so much death and destruction, whether by her hand or her father's, and with no end in sight.
Ozai would let the world burn, if it meant he could stand upon the ashes and be king, she beside him like a prop. A pretty decoration who would say the right things and dance to his tune.
She sighed and suddenly her father stirred beside her, rolling over in bed to face her.
"Azula, it's late…" he muttered, wrapping an arm around her lazily, pulling close her to him. "...sleep now, My Love."
His breath reeked of alcohol, sickly sweet and pungent. A stench she was accustomed to but disliked nonetheless. She began to breathe through her mouth instead, fearing the smell would make her sick. For the better part of the past two weeks, she had thought her strange illness had finally abated, only for it to come back in full force yesterday morning.
"My Princess," Daddy mumbled, placing a quick kiss upon her lips.
Azula studied his face, handsome as ever. Angular brows, sharp cheekbones, and chiseled jaw. That perfect little bow cresting those kissable lips of his. Even sleeping, he was truly the most beautiful man she'd ever seen. Just by looking at him, one could never guess he'd be so cruel, she thought. There was even still a part of her that wanted to believe something could happen to make him change his mind about this… whatever that something was.
In any case, she knew a surefire way to make herself tired. She was allowed to be selfish; she needed sleep and a clear head.
"Why don't you help make me tired, Daddy?" Azula purred, brazenly reaching in between them to rub his cock.
Flaccid, but not for long.
Her body craved this so badly. She felt an ache in between her thighs as soon as he started to stir again, the muscles in his face (and other places) tensing deliciously. They hadn't had sex that night, as they normally did. Daddy had stumbled into bed much too drunk and gone off straight to sleep.
The Phoenix King opened his eyes to look at his queen. His desperate, slutty, needy, little queen. By Agni, he was truly the luckiest man on earth… there was only one problem, though. He was too tired to give her what she needed, and that was a shame indeed.
Granted, Ozai had much more endurance and virility than other men, this he knew. Even those twenty years younger couldn't compare - but he wasn't invincible!
Still, Azula deserved something. Lest she go looking for it elsewhere, a thought that entered his mind from time to time, one he very much did not like to dwell on. He was almost sure the water bitch was a dyke (she was strangely immune to his charm, as well as much too interested in his daughter) but if that didn't appeal to her, there were strapping, young male guards stationed just outside-
No, no, he couldn't let himself go there.
It didn't take long at all to prepare Azula, in her hyper aroused state. They kissed, roamed their hands over each others' bodies. Then he moved onto her tits, her most reliable weak spot. Licking and sucking those perky nipples until she shivered in pleasure and squirmed beneath him.
"Oh, f-" She bit her lip and gripped his hair tight.
Ozai chuckled, still bleary eyed and groggy but rather more alert now that he was aroused, too.
"Now, let's see how wet this sweet pussy is for me," he growled, bringing a hand down in between her legs, beneath her half-opened sleeping robe.
As she wore no underwear, he immediately found her to be sufficiently wet. Well, more than sufficiently, her overflowing juices coated his probing fingers, which were almost sucked right in.
"There's a good girl, my perfect girl," he crooned, knowing very well the effect that sort of praise had on her.
Azula offered no protest when he told her to ride his cock, shedding her robe entirely and mounting him with an eagerness that would have made his dick hard if it wasn't already.
She sank down on top of him, her slutty moans music to his ears as he filled her tight cunt, completely.
Oh, yes, he liked this, he decided. Once the initial awkwardness had passed, that is (they didn't do it with her on top very often). His prodigy daughter was a quick study in all matters and soon enough, she was riding him with skill and vigor that rivaled that of a whore.
Ozai was sure he was in the heavens somewhere as Azula bucked on top of him and ground her hips, tits bouncing wildly as she took her pleasure. Squealing and moaning, hands firmly upon his chest to steady herself.
It was a sight he'd never forget, one he had no doubts that any man would be envious of. She was an absolute goddess, perfect in every way. From those dazzling amber eyes that seemed to pierce his very soul, to her plump cocksucking lips, and of course, her gorgeous tits, jiggling so very enticingly above him. Unable to help himself, he grabbed at them.
"Daddy! Oh, Daddy! Yes!" she cried, their flesh smacking together audibly as she rode him harder, faster.
Neither lasted much longer after that. Another minute, maybe two, then he could tell she was close. He helped her along, rubbing her clit until her screams filled their chambers and the bed shook under them as she came. Ozai himself followed suit before she was even finished, exploding into his daughter's tight, hot cunt as it milked his cock.
He vaguely registered Azula collapsing beside him, gushing over how amazing his "big dick" was in between her panting breaths. Then she said something else, he couldn't quite discern what, before making a beeline for the washroom.
After that, everything went dark for the Phoenix King. He closed his eyes and drifted off into the most peaceful sleep he'd had in weeks.
⁂⁂⁂
"I don't know what's wrong with her!" Ozai shouted at the four green-robed Dai Li agents, angry and fearful.
He himself was half-asleep and plagued by a blaring headache, awakened just moments ago by the sound of his little Azula crying and screaming into the night.
The men unsurprisingly eyed him with suspicion and (dare he say?) scorn, then his daughter with obvious concern. Concern and..?
"Don't just fucking stand there gawking at my wife, help her!" he snarled, disgusted and in disbelief at the gall of these bastards who seemed to think their queen's naked body existed for their entertainment.
In haste he tore a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around the trembling, tearful girl, protecting her already violated modesty.
"Shhh, it's alright, I'm here…" he soothed, pulling her into an embrace and stroking her hair. "Shhh, shhhh... Daddy's here…"
But this only seemed to worsen her condition, as Ozai was practically deafened by an ear-piercing scream of pain.
Azula then started to struggle, thrashing about helplessly, as if trying to push him off her.
"No! No! No!" she kept repeating, in between her pathetic sobs and wails.
He'd never seen her like this before, not since that dreadful incident the both of them were still paying the price for… had he known it would be like this, he wouldn't have punished her in that way. How he wished he could take it back now. Was she having one of her fits again, then? Or was this something else entirely?
He didn't have time to ponder what exactly this was or why this was happening any further, not when Azula began hyperventilating and her face turned red.
"Get the waterbender! Hurry, you fools!" he ordered, in desperation.
She was a healer, she could help. It didn't matter if he didn't trust her as far as he could throw her. He was right here and he wasn't leaving his wife's side. Returning her loyalty, he owed her that much.
Azula's agents, thankfully, did not question him as he'd feared they would. While Ozai may not have had their respect, and that was putting it mildly, it appeared they cared enough for their master's well-being not to let that cloud their judgment.
⁂⁂⁂
Katara didn't know what to think as she followed the Dai Li agents up the stairs from the lower levels, and down one long, dark corridor after another.
One of them had shaken her awake, and all that was said was that Her Highness required her assistance. Urgently.
A great many possibilities filled her head, of course, each seemingly more disturbing than the next. Had Ozai hurt his daughter somehow, and found himself needing her healing abilities after all? Was it to do with Azula's pregnancy, was the baby in danger? (Wait, did they even know about that?) Or maybe he had..?
Ugh, she didn't even want to go there. The first time had been bad enough, she simply could not endure this a second time. And Azula? There was no telling what would happen if that sick bastard had indeed been cruel enough to rape his own daughter… again.
After what felt like forever, they were finally approaching the Phoenix King and Queen's chambers. She could see the door leading to the grandest set of rooms in the entire palace, the space Azula now shared with her father. No escape from him, not even in her sleep.
Her stomach dropped.
Even from down the hall and behind a sturdy metal door, she could hear Azula's screams.
Loud, grating, high-pitched sobs and wails permeated, unnerving her to her very core. Azula was not simply just upset. That, she could deal with. No, she was in pain! And while Katara didn't know why, she knew what (or who, rather) had caused her pain.
"Please, you are needed straight away," urged one of the ever mysterious, green-robed men.
So, they weren't coming with her then?
Katara steeled herself, trying her best to prepare for whatever it was she might see beyond that door.
To her dismay, Azula wasn't alone in the room.
Ozai was there, too, holding her close to him as she thrashed and screamed, even trying to claw at him like a feral animal.
"Let her go!" Katara exclaimed, instinctively, uncaring of the fact that she very well may be punished for her 'insolence'.
Much to her surprise though, he did as she asked, and what's more didn't even appear to be angry about the fact that a slave had just given him an order. No, he wasn't the least bit angry, he was… worried. Scared, even. There was no denying it, in Ozai's golden eyes was not the blazing fire of rage she was used to seeing but genuine concern, a strange sort of softness.
"I… I just woke up and she…" he tried to explain, in a rare stutter, as an equally frightened Azula scuttled off toward the corner of the room.
Katara had nothing to say to him. Whatever delusional or convoluted excuse he had for doing this, she didn't care to hear it.
Tentatively, she approached the crying and possibly injured girl, who was shivering even despite the heat and the thick blanket wrapped around her. Strangely, Azula didn't even seem to notice that she was here. She just stared off into space, now rocking back and forth and mumbling something to herself as her tears flowed freely.
"Azula?"
The waterbender took a few more steps, slowly and gently.
"Azula, what happened?"
And that was when she noticed the blood on her hands.
"What did you do?!" she hissed in Ozai's direction.
"I did nothing, she attacked me! This is my blood, you insolent little whore!" he snarled, now appropriately indignant.
Ignoring the insult, Katara looked him up and down and surmised he was telling her the truth. Along his bare chest and arms were obvious injuries, bloodied scratches caused by what she was certain must have been fingernails.
Good, he deserves it, she thought, bitterly.
Even though he was the one who had been attacked, there was no doubt in her mind that, somehow, this was all his fault. And Azula's reaction to his anger only solidified this line of thinking. She was terrified. Sobbing uncontrollably now, clutching the blanket tighter and hiding herself in it.
"What happened?" Katara asked again.
"I already told you, she was like this when I woke up! And when I tried to calm her down, she attacked me!" Ozai growled, casting a shadow as he stood and began to walk toward them, towering over the two girls. "Now do something, or I'll make you wish you'd never been born!"
Fire flared up in his hands and Azula shrieked, like a rabbit caught in a trap.
"Stop it! Can't you see you're upsetting her?!" Katara cried, in desperation.
"What I can see is that you've learned nothing from your previous punishment, and you're still just an impudent bitch who doesn't know her place!"
"Please! If you really care for her-"
"I do! How dare you question my devotion toward my own wife! I am a king and you're nothing but a worthless peasant! A fish-slinger, a dirty little snow savage!"
Katara could have rolled her eyes at the litany of uncreative slurs he'd hurled at her, though now was not the place nor the time to enrage Ozai any further… she grit her teeth.
"Pardon, Your Majesty. I meant no offense," she said because she had to, almost feeling sick as the words left her mouth. "I know you want to help her, that's why you sent for me. And in order to help Azula, you'll have to help me. A healer is useless without her element at her disposal. I need water."
Ozai snorted.
"Water?" he asked, incredulously, crossing his arms. "Do you take me for a fool, girl?"
Yes.
"No, Your Highness. I take you for a man who cares deeply for his queen, his flesh and blood…" She hesitated. "...the mother of his child."
Save for the sound of Azula crying and babbling incoherently, the room fell silent.
The Phoenix King blinked in surprise.
"Then… you mean?"
"Yes. Azula is pregnant."
His face fell, a rare expression of sadness and… dare she say hurt?
"Why did she not tell me?"
"I don't think she knows." That was the truth as far as she knew. "I discovered her condition when I was examining her for internal injuries, about two weeks ago. I know I shouldn't have kept this a secret, and I wasn't trying to but there was no right time to say anything, and…" she trailed off, figuring it was useless to try and plead her case.
"Very well. You shall have anything you require in order to treat her. How much water will be necessary?"
"Just this," she told him, handing over her prized water skin.
A little piece of home, now in his hands, of all people.
With that, Ozai took his leave to the nearby washroom, leaving her alone with Azula at last, and Katara could only wonder if she had done the right thing in telling him that his own daughter was pregnant with their child. Now it would be hard, nigh impossible, to exhaust options other than carrying to term. Now he'd be watching her closer than ever, stalking her every move… but at least he'd be more mindful of distressing or injuring her any more than he already had… she hoped.
It didn't take long for the Phoenix King to return with a full water skin and once he handed it back to her, she saw him wipe his hands on his robe, disgustedly. This time, Katara did roll her eyes, her back facing the large and intimidating man whom she could feel practically breathing down her neck.
Katara breathed in, then out, in, out, focusing her chi. She hadn't used this particular brand of medicine in quite some time, not since… Jet. Since he had been brainwashed by the very same men who now served her new master, the men responsible for his death.
So much death… where did it end? She blinked back tears at the memory of her first kiss, high up in the treetops of Jet's hideout. What had become of that place, she wondered. What had become of Smellerbee and Longshot, and the others?
Right. Focus, she reprimanded herself, Ozai's stare burning a hole in her back.
Yagoda herself had taught her this technique, describing it as a cure for "ailments of the mind". She could only hope it would work, she hadn't exactly had the chance to try it out on someone with a sickness quite like Azula's. She'd never encountered another person who was… well…
Crazy?
Crazy, yes, but considering her environment and who she was married to, who she had spent nearly every day of her life with, it'd be a miracle if there wasn't something wrong with her.
One more deep breath and Katara placed her hands on either side of Azula's head.
"What are you doing to her?" Ozai demanded, his harsh voice breaking her focus.
"Please, I need…"
Some Agni-damned peace and quiet, you disgusting, daughter-fucking freak!
"...I need quiet for this. It's a special technique I learned up North, from a master healer. An expert in illnesses of the mind as well as physical injuries."
"And how do I know I can trust any of that?"
A moment of silence passed before she answered him.
"I suppose you don't."
With no further objection from His Majesty, Katara set to work, careful to keep her breathing steady as she manipulated her element. The water glowed with a healing light, telling her to keep going and when she did, Azula opened her eyes and looked straight at her.
Her expression was blank, vacant, nothing at all behind those amber-gold irises, dead and doll-like rather than hauntingly aflame.
The waterbender began to question whether or not what she was doing was having any effect at all… that is until the other girl blinked, and she saw the light return to her eyes as if she'd just lit two candles.
"Azula..?" she asked, hesitantly, silently streaming the water back into her pouch.
Azula blinked again, confused but lucid.
"How…?" Her cheeks flushed red upon realizing she was wrapped in a blanket because she wasn't wearing any clothes. "...what happened?"
"I'm not really sure," Katara answered, honestly.
The Phoenix Queen then turned to address her father.
"Daddy!" she gasped. "You're hurt."
Of course, all she cares about is him, Katara reminded herself.
"It was an accident. An unfortunate accident," Ozai explained, simply.
Bright blue eyes darted from daughter to father, then back again.
"Did… Did I do that?" Azula asked, horrified, moving to stand up and finding she was unsteady on her feet.
"Be careful!" her father warned, springing into action and catching her before she fell down.
Always the hero, huh? The big tough man here to save the day, Katara thought, sardonically.
"You were having some kind of a nightmare or a fit. You woke up screaming," Ozai told her. "Don't you remember?"
"No."
"I tried to calm you down of course but you wouldn't snap out of it."
"And then I did that to you?"
"It looks worse than it is," he reassured, throwing his arms around her in a rare display of genuine affection.
"I'm just glad you're alright."
He kissed the crown of her head.
"And there's something else as well," he said, enigmatically.
The Phoenix King looked toward her expectantly.
"You're with child, Azula. We're going to have a baby - isn't that right?"
"Yes!" Katara piped up, surprised at being given permission to speak.
Azula turned to look at her, too, eyes wide with shock.
"I'm… pregnant? A-Are you sure?"
She nodded, perturbed at the way Ozai was smiling, the way he was looking at his own daughter.
"Isn't it wonderful?" he asked, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look back at him.
He kissed her full on the mouth, with undeniable passion. Tongue and all.
Katara wanted to gag… and almost did.
Somehow, this was even more disgusting than any of the other activities she'd been made to witness. Kissing was just so… intimate, removed from the perverse, insatiable lust Ozai normally displayed towards his daughter.
And worse yet, the kiss continued much longer than was necessary. Well over a minute, and though she could close her eyes, she couldn't do anything to tune out the gross, wet smacking and slobbering sounds nor those muffled yet positively revolting moans (which she recognized as being distinctly male).
"How far along is she? In the pregnancy?" Ozai suddenly asked.
Katara's eyes flew back open.
Shouldn't I be asking you that?
"Uh, it's… it's difficult to say. I'd have to give your-"
Daughter? Wife? Ugh, I don't even know the right thing to say anymore.
"-The Phoenix Queen a full examination, and ask her some questions."
"Well, get on with it then!" he growled, impatient.
"Uhm…" she stammered, trying to find the most diplomatic way to tell him to get lost.
"The thing is I… I'm worried about her stress levels!"
Ozai looked at her as though she had just cursed his ancestors or something.
"And I'm stressing her out? Is that what you're saying?"
Yes.
"No, of course not! It's just-"
"I order you to examine her right now!"
"Daddy-"
"Be quiet, Azula."
Spirits, how clueless was this man?!
"Of course, Your Highness. Right away. But for the sake of the Phoenix Queen's health, I really must insist that you…"
Think, Katara! Think!
"...run her a bath?"
"A bath?" Ozai asked, incredulously. "Isn't that your job? What do you think we have servants for, you stupid bitch?!
Katara bit her tongue, something which she was (regrettably) getting better at.
"I only meant it should be done straight away, so that it's ready when I'm finished."
It would take at least a few minutes for him to pump enough water, and to heat it up. Enough time to discuss all of this with Azula in private, she hoped.
"Please, I only want what's best for Az-" She stopped herself from referring to 'Her Highness' by her first name. "-for Her Highness and the baby."
"Very well," he finally conceded, almost making her sigh with relief.
Katara didn't speak until Ozai was out of sight behind a closed door, nor did Azula.
"Is my baby alright? I didn't hurt it, did I?"
Fearful golden eyes met skeptical blue ones.
"I wouldn't think so, but I'm going to make sure," she told her former rival, trying to placate her as best she could.
"Just lie down on the bed, okay?"
What a relief it was to be dealing with just Azula again. No argument or snarky remark as she positioned herself on top of the wrinkled bedspread, somewhat awkwardly, making sure she didn't expose herself. Not that it would be anything she hadn't already seen, Katara thought, dryly. Lately, she was without clothes more often than she was with them. Ozai's doing, most likely.
Katara took a deep breath and approached the large bed, uncorking her water skin.
"I have to be able to see your stomach," she said.
With the blanket parted just enough, and her element at her hands, she searched for-
Ah-ha! There it was. The energies were even stronger than before.
"It doesn't seem like anything is wrong. I first realized you were pregnant because I felt a pool of chi. Energy. Something distinctly alive. And right now, that pool is even bigger and stronger. I'd say that's a good sign," Katara explained, inwardly shivering with revulsion.
Ordinarily, the miracle of life was something she'd be excited about, especially as a healer, but under these circumstances? A man having impregnated his own young daughter, whom he regularly abused and took advantage of sexually? It just gave her the creeps.
"Wait, then that means..? Back then, when you examined me because I was sick… you've known all along?!" Azula accused.
"Yes."
She couldn't deny it.
"I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want to tell your father first, I swear! But I didn't have a choice. You were a wreck when I got here, and he was making everything worse!"
Like he always does.
Her work finished, Katara streamed the water back into the skin.
"I guess the next step is to determine when you..." She grimaced, cringing at the very thought. "...when you conceived."
"Your guess is as good as mine," Azula said, covering up her stomach and resting her hand over it, protectively.
"Well, when was the last time you bled?"
"I know it was before the comet came. During the invasion, actually."
"Are you sure? That was almost two months ago," Katara replied, admittedly surprised at the realization that she'd probably been pregnant this whole time and no one had known.
The Phoenix Queen looked at her like she was some kind of gross, unwelcome insect that belonged at the bottom of her shoe.
"Yes, I'm sure. Why wouldn't I be?"
Back to her old self again, she thought, irritated. At least that meant nothing was seriously wrong with her… right?
"Forget I asked. After that, how many days went by before..?"
Ugh!
Katara stopped herself mid-sentence. She didn't even want to know.
"Before what?"
"Are you really going to make me say it?"
There was a long pause as she waited for a reply, before eventually realizing she wasn't going to get one.
"Oh, for Agni's sake! When was the first time you had sex after your cycle?"
Azula snorted with laughter.
"Oh, grow up! I'm trying to-"
"We never stopped."
What?!
"That's disgusting!" Katara exclaimed, her brain to mouth filter failing her at such a disturbing revelation.
"Maybe to you but it really only bothered me the first few times. And I don't think it ever bothered Daddy, he's happy to just throw a towel down. You get used to it."
She laughed again.
"Sometimes I even wear him out. I don't what it is about my monthly time but it makes me so desperate for-"
"Okay, okay, I've heard enough! Thanks!"
Strange as it was, it had somehow been preferable to believe that Azula wasn't a willing participant in any of this, or at least not as willing as he was. That it was Ozai initiating and she just… ugh… UGH!
Stop thinking about it.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to piece together a coherent thought that didn't make her want to vomit.
"Evidently we can't create an exact timetable here, so you're somewhere between one and two months along. Probably closer to two, which is still really early on in a pregnancy," she informed her 'master'.
Katara then took one more deep breath, considering exactly what she was going to say before she said it. She knew it would be bad news if this came out wrong…
"You have options," she told her, speaking much more quietly now, lest Ozai overhear.
Azula sat up, looking at her with an appropriate amount of confusion.
"What do you mean?"
Of course. She wouldn't know anything about that. Where she came from, children were planned and wanted. Never the result of a Fire Navy soldier forcing himself on a civilian… in the weeks following the siege, she and Yagoda must have helped at least a dozen women and girls who had, to their horror, found themselves with child.
"I mean, you don't have to have the baby if you don't want to. There are ways to-"
"Why wouldn't I want to?!" she shot back, angrily.
"Shhh!" Katara hissed, in a harsh whisper. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed."
Yep, shame on me for assuming you might not want to give birth to your own sibling.
"No, you shouldn't have. And you should speak to me with respect! Not just because I'm your better, but because I stuck my neck out to help you - again!"
Again?
"What are you talking about?"
"You really have no idea, do you?"
This time, it was Azula who lowered her voice in fear.
"After that little escape attempt of yours, Daddy wanted to just hand you over to our men, let them have their way with you. Had I not intervened, that's exactly what would have happened. So you can be angry that I had to punish you all you want but I do believe a few lashes are preferable to-"
"It was more than a few!"
"Regardless, it beats the alternative. I'm sure you agree?"
Katara certainly couldn't argue with that… assuming Azula was telling the truth, that is. Who even knew with her anymore, she had already passed the point of believing her own lies. Still, she couldn't think of a reason she'd have to lie to her about this specifically.
If anything, Azula was always trying to convince people she didn't care about anyone except herself… and Daddy Dearest, of course.
But wait, so then..?
"And if it's any consolation, I didn't mean to hurt you that much. How do you think you wound up in that medicine woman's care after you collapsed? It certainly wasn't out of the goodness of my father's heart."
For at least a minute, Katara found herself shocked into silence.
Dear Tui and La, it all made sense…
…but then again, it made no sense at all.
"Why do you keep helping me?" she felt compelled to ask.
Not that she expected Azula to just be honest with her, she'd broached this exact subject before with no luck.
The Phoenix Queen sighed.
"Call it my guilty conscience. Since I can't save my brother, the least I can do is make sure you don't follow him to an early grave. It's what he would want."
…alright, now Katara was back to being angry.
"Why are you talking about Zuko like he's already dead?! Your own brother! Won't you even try to-"
"Because he IS already dead! Don't you get it!"
Unfortunately for the two girls, their conversation was interrupted.
"Azula?" called a deep, masculine voice with impatience.
"I'm here, Daddy," she answered, dutifully.
The door to the washroom swung open to reveal Ozai standing in the doorway, still disheveled and bleeding. Normally immaculate hair mussed, trousers hanging slightly below his hips to only reveal a different kind of hair which one of the two girls most definitely had not wished to see. And of course, he hadn't bothered to put on a shirt or a robe either.
While Azula was practically drooling, Katara cringed. No matter how well-built he may be, there was just nothing attractive about this man. She couldn't imagine why anyone would actually desire him.
Ozai approached his daughter, resting his hands on her shoulders.
"Would you like me to help you?"
"Don't trouble yourself. It's the water bitch's job, like you said," Azula told him.
"Very well."
Katara breathed a sigh of relief. It was a ruse, an opportunity for them to finish talking.
"And our child?" he then asked.
"Strong, perfectly healthy!" she answered for her mistress, prompting the Phoenix King to look at her with one angular brow raised, expecting more information.
"I'd say you can anticipate the birth to occur mid-spring."
"Spring? How perfect. The royal gardens will be so beautiful, won't they, Azula?"
She nodded her head, smiling softly.
"Have yourself a nice long bath, and Daddy will be waiting for you in bed."
Ozai knelt down in front of her and kissed her stomach, the tenderness of the gesture flat-out astonishing Katara.
"I'll be sure to have the servants prepare you something to eat as well. We can't have you wasting away the way you have been, now promise me you won't argue."
"Yes, Daddy."
⁂⁂⁂
Unlike her father, Azula wasn't excited just yet. Not that she was unhappy, no, merely she was still reeling from the news that she was going to be a mother - she was going to have Daddy's baby! Her greatest dream in life, aside from being married to him.
It seemed unbelievable. This was all happening so fast. The wedding had been barely a month ago, and she wasn't even fifteen yet (her birthday was coming up soon though).
If she didn't know otherwise, she'd have thought she was too young to have a baby… not that she could even really focus on that right now, with all that was going on. The timing couldn't be more horrible, she thought.
Still, she should have guessed that this was the source of the illness that had plagued her on and off ever since she'd returned home from her honeymoon. How had she missed all the signs? Most especially such an obvious one, the fact that she hadn't bled all this time. While she may be somewhat ignorant in these matters (how had she never managed to get pregnant before anyway? What was different now?), she had at least liked to think she wasn't completely clueless.
"Tilt your head back," said Katara, taking her out of her thoughts.
Azula sighed heavily and did just that, allowing the other girl to rinse her favorite sandalwood shampoo out of her hair.
"So, are we going to talk about… you know?"
"I'm not really sure there is anything else to say," she answered, exasperated.
She didn't want to think about it. There was nothing she could do, nothing either of them could do. Her father's mind was made up.
"I don't understand you! How can you just give up? Zuko would never give up on you like that!"
"Oh, really? I assure you, he isn't nearly as perfect as you think he is," Azula snarled.
If she only knew the half of it…
"I don't think he's perfect, I never said that!" the waterbender shot back, defensively.
"You know, he wouldn't even be in this mess if it wasn't for our uncle's meddling! He had a place here. With his family, where he belongs. After Ba Sing Se, Father welcomed him home as a war hero - which, I might add, was entirely my doing! My orders were to bring him home in chains. I didn't have to give him any credit. I didn't have to share the glory, but I did. And how does he repay me?"
Azula blinked back tears… it was all so perfect. Why did he have to go and ruin it? They could have been happy together. No, they were happy together! A proper family again.
"He just leaves. Without even saying goodbye. Leaving me to deal with the fallout… he knew your friend the Avatar was alive the entire time and guess who had to clean up that mess? Father was furious, let me tell you. Did he ever once think of what had happened to me after that?"
She lifted her head to look Katara directly in the eye.
"So you see, I already saved Zuko once. And he threw it all away. He's the one who gave up on me, not the other way around."
"He was only doing what he thought was right. He loves you, Azula!"
Despite herself, Azula started to cry.
"And I know you love him, too. You have to stop this. If you don't, you'll regret it forever!"
Katara stood up, angrily throwing the water pitcher onto the stone floor with a loud, resounding clank! and metallic ringing.
"Just fucking stand up to him, for once!" she practically screamed, apparently not even caring if they were overheard anymore.
"Keep your voice down!"
For some reason, that made her laugh… why was she laughing?! Why was this girl so positively infuriating!
"I don't even know why I bother…" Katara shook her head in dismay, with a mocking chuckle. "...I really don't. When you finally told me about how you'd helped me, I thought maybe there was hope. I'd written you off as a lost cause, which I actually felt guilty for earlier, but now I can see I was right."
Stupid peasant! Who did she think she was?!
Now, it was Azula's turn to be angry.
"You don't know me! Or my brother! He joined your group for what, five minutes? You don't know him, he doesn't even know himself! And clearly, you don't understand my father at all. What did you think, that he was just going to have a guard slip something into little Zuzu's tea? Quietly?"
If only. That, she could deal with. She could just send one of her agents in to intercept it, and no one would have to know. Father would never know it was his own daughter and wife undermining him, he'd never suspect her.
"What else aren't you telling me?" Katara demanded, her blue eyes wet with tears as well.
"There's going to be a trial. Tomorrow. Of course, the trial is merely a formality, Father has assured me the outcome has already been decided but-"
"Tomorrow?! It's happening tomorrow and you didn't think to tell me until just now!"
Before she could say anything else, they were interrupted for the second time that evening.
"What's going on in here?" Daddy growled, bursting through the door, the look in his eyes one of suspicion and blind fury.
Neither girl spoke, Azula helpless to come up with a suitable explanation on the spot like this as she normally could. She had no way of knowing what exactly he had already heard.
"Did the water bitch make you upset?" he asked her, coming to stand beside the tub.
He didn't wait for an answer.
"Get out!" he roared in Katara's vague direction, who didn't need to be told twice.
She was gone in a second, leaving her alone with her father. Naked and helpless, no one else around… she feared the worst.
Was he going to punish her? The same way he had on Ember Island?
She couldn't help flinching as he leaned down, but to her surprise, he only kissed her wet head.
"There, there, my sweet," he spoke softly, stroking her drenched hair as she cried, wrapping his other arm around her as if to shield her from all the evils of the world.
"She won't bother you anymore. I was so worried, I'd feared that you were…"
He paused to give her another kiss before continuing to speak.
"Let's get you dried off and comfortable, and a servant will bring you a tray in bed. How does that sound?"
And though she didn't verbally agree, he helped her up to stand and she let him.
Minutes later there she was. Warm, dry, and cozied up in bed next to Daddy, wearing her softest and silkiest sleeping robe while they dined on a late-night snack of fried noodles and fish balls like nothing was even wrong.
At least, for a few hours, she could pretend…
⁂⁂⁂
The prosecution had compiled quite the list of charges. Assault, aiding and abetting a known fugitive, espionage, high treason… just to name a few. And while those were positively damning, even individually, the worst of them all carried the penalty of death if found guilty: conspiracy to commit regicide.
And Zuko would be found guilty. Of that, Ozai had been assured.
There was no possible way the traitor would evade justice and then finally, he would be rid of him. There would be no one left who could dare challenge him, or his daughter and heir. No one left to threaten their rule-
Well, okay, except for that old buffoon, Iroh. He would be dealt with, too, as soon as all of this was over. Then, finally, they would be at peace. They would enjoy a long and prosperous reign as Phoenix King and Queen, and raise their (hopefully many) children without fear of the unknown as they expanded their empire to all four corners of the world, finally realizing Fire Lord Sozin's vision.
Without Zuko, it was all going to be perfect.
Everything that he had promised Azula when he'd first asked her to marry him, and more.
…and speaking of Azula, she looked ravishing beside him.
It would seem motherhood agreed with her already, she had such a glow about her.
Never again did he want to see her unhappy, to see that glow fade away.
She turned her head and smiled at him, her plump lips painted that shade of red he liked and enticing as ever. He would have leaned in to kiss her, would it not mean ruining her make-up. And while ordinarily, he cared not about such frivolous things, there were appearances to uphold. His queen would have all eyes on her when she took the stand, and he couldn't embarrass her like that.
Though, surely she could have chosen an outfit that didn't expose so much cleavage. For one, it was distracting and for two, he despised the idea of her putting her body on display like that for anyone other than him. Well, leastwise when she was the one orchestrating such a display, rather than him.
He swore, if he caught any of these old men looking at his Azula for longer than a second, he'd have them executed, too! Right here in this very temple. So what if it was technically 'theirs' because they were the Fire Sages. Everything belonged to him. Ozai. The supreme ruler of the Fire Isles, and soon to be the entire world.
He didn't have to have anyone other than himself and his Queen presiding over a legal matter of such importance. The presence of the Fire Sages was merely a show of good faith, as was this very trial itself.
Lately, Azula had been worrying herself with the opinions of the common people and he had to concede she was right to be concerned. Even before all of this, Ozai knew there were those who took issue with his ascension to the throne and the dubious chain of events surrounding it, as well as his firstborn son's subsequent disfigurement and disgrace. In even greater numbers came the naysayers once he'd made the choice to proclaim Azula as his heir… and making her his wife on top of that? The proverbial nail in the coffin.
If he was going to kill his own son, who unfortunately was considered his rightful heir by a non-negligible amount of people, he'd better have a damned good reason for doing it. And, he'd better be prepared to present his reasoning to the public.
To seemingly everyone but him, sons were worth more than daughters. Utter nonsense, especially in his position, where any male relative was a potential threat. A rival for power, for women. For Azula's affection… and her cunt.
Oh, yes, he knew that was what Zuko truly wanted. All honor and nobility but Ozai could see right through him. He and Brother were two of a kind, and Iroh was a vile womanizer with a silver tongue, who couldn't keep his hands off other mens' wives! Worse yet, he'd had the gall to deny it but Ozai knew what he saw. They would always be laughing, whispering, touching each other. And for as much as he'd hated her toward the end, even he could admit that Ursa was a stunningly beautiful woman. It certainly didn't take a genius to figure out that someone like Iroh would have had more than friendship on his mind.
Well, with any luck, the bitch was dead in a ditch somewhere, and her precious Zuko would soon follow.
Ozai sighed impatiently. Could they not just get this over with already, why did these crusty old faggots seem so keen on wasting his time? Bickering over paperwork and other stupid bullshit, keeping their King and Queen waiting.
"How much longer is this going to take?" he growled, apparently startling them.
"A-Apologies, Your Highness," stuttered the Head Sage.
"It's difficult to say but it shouldn't be too long, we're almost finished on our end and then we can open the doors to the public. They're becoming quite restless, I'm told."
Ah, yes, the rabble.
If there was one thing they loved, it was gratuitous violence.
In the meantime though, he needed a distraction… and he knew just the perfect girl to provide him with one.
The Phoenix King turned his attention to his daughter, and the water bitch standing beside her- wait, why was she here again? Ah, well, it was unimportant, he decided as his gaze fell upon the generous swell of Azula's breasts then up toward her full lips.
He stood up from his assigned seat with a singular goal in mind.
It had been weeks since he'd fucked that cute little mouth of hers, they'd been so caught up in securing an heir. Now though, with the recent knowledge that they were successful in that endeavor, there was no longer a downside to planting his seed elsewhere, so to speak.
"Come with me, Azula," he said, hastily, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her up to stand, too.
Already, he could feel himself growing hard beneath his robes.
"And you-"
What even was her name, anyway?
"-come and get us when it's time."
The dark skinned girl smiled and nodded obediently, which he knew was an act. At least she'd been behaving herself lately though, so he couldn't find a reason to be angry. Not when he had something else to focus on. Something much, much better.
Eager, he practically dragged Azula toward the nearest room-
Wait, no, it wasn't a room at all. It was a storage closet, he quickly surmised, taking in the stacks of nondescript crates and thick layer of dust. But oh well, it would do.
Ozai pushed her in and closed the door behind them, his cock twitching with anticipation.
"What's wrong, Daddy?" she questioned, innocently.
She really had no idea how much he wanted her. Right fucking now, in the wake of Zuko's imminent demise.
"What's wrong, my little Azula, is that you look like you're begging for cock dressed like this. And you know exactly what you're doing, don't you?" he purred, reaching for the scandalously low neckline of her dress and yanking it down, revealing-!
Bindings? Bindings covering his wife's tits?!
"Why are you even wearing these?" he snarled, making quick work of them with a fire blade, careful not to burn anything else, especially not her pretty skin.
The charred scraps of cotton fell away, leaving Azula's breasts naked and vulnerable to his stare… and his hands, which immediately flew to them.
Like he'd expected, she arched into his touch, moaning softly as his thumbs brushed over her perfect, pink nipples. The thought of these very same breasts swollen and dripping with mother's milk in just a few short months, preparing themselves to nourish their child, sent the blood rushing toward his already excited cock and within seconds, the Phoenix King was at full mast.
"Daddy," Azula whimpered adorably as he tickled her nipples, making them all stiff and pointy.
His mouth was quick to replace his fingers, tongue lashing over her right breast before closing his lips around the pebbled peak of flesh at its apex and sucking hard.
She squealed in pleasure, arching her back even further and pressing her sharp fingernails into his shoulder blades, which were thankfully clothed and immune to any discomfort. He knew the old men could hear her and he didn't care. In fact, he preferred making it known that he was enjoying his wife without shame, the way any husband should. And, he knew any one of them would kill to be in his place, latched onto one of these delicious teenage tits.
Ozai worked his daughter's nipple to the point where he was sure it couldn't get any harder and more sensitive, then clamped his teeth down around the erect bud and pulled until it slipped out. Azula groaned, and he didn't know if it was because she was in pain or because it felt good but either way, he loved it.
Cupping her suckled tit, his mouth went for the left one this time, trailing kisses over her heated skin.
"I just can't get enough of your tits, Princess," he complimented, in between wet smooches.
He really should have guessed he'd gotten her pregnant because they just kept getting bigger. And to think, they would grow even more… providing she took after her mother. Two pregnancies had left Ursa with almost comically large breasts and if he could help it, his new bride would be bred like a broodmare. No, he was not stopping at just two, not this time.
Eager, he flicked his tongue all over and around Azula's nipple, earning breathy little sighs and whimpers for his efforts. He'd stop occasionally, blowing cold air on her hard, wet nipple, then giving her his warmth again. He so loved teasing her, every bit as much as he loved giving her pleasure.
"You make me so wet, Daddy," she panted as he lapped at her breast.
"Mm, and don't I know it, My Dear," he crooned.
He made sure to give this nipple the same treatment as the other, vacuuming it into his mouth, sucking and biting until he'd had his fill.
Satisfied, Ozai pulled away from her chest, then stopped to stare. He couldn't help but to admire the way her perky nipples shone with his saliva, suckled and bitten so voraciously that they were now red, aching points.
"I want you down on your knees," he ordered, deciding it was time she perform her wifely duties.
Azula obeyed wordlessly, her pretty eyes staring up at him, awaiting his next command.
Oh, yes, this was where she belonged. Kneeling down in front of her husband and king, tits on full display. She was made for this.
Hastily, he hiked up his robes and as he wore nothing underneath, his cock met the open air straight away.
"Well, get on with it!"
Ozai grabbed Azula by her hair and shoved her face into his crotch.
She gagged on his dick as it was suddenly forced into her mouth, her lips stretched cruelly wide around him. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she tapped his thighs, begging for mercy.
"Actually, I think I like this better," he said, smugly, granting her none.
He'd actually almost forgotten how much he liked using her like this, how downright heavenly that nice, warm hole was. Helpless against his assault, Azula choked and sputtered as he fucked her face, though like the good girl she was, she tried to suck him at the same time.
Physically, it didn't feel as good as her cunt of course but what Ozai enjoyed was his princess's throat pulsing around his cock, struggling to accept him as her spit and tears flowed freely, and the obvious fear in her eyes. She could hardly even breathe like this, inhaling sharply through her nose.
Laughing, he held her hair even tighter and with both hands, using it as leverage to thrust harder, faster.
She was practically sobbing now, and that turned him on so much that already, he found himself on the brink of orgasm.
"Fuck! Your mouth feels so good, baby, I'm gonna fucking cum," he hissed, at least figuring he should warn her.
It wouldn't do to make a mess… though, her make-up was completely ruined so perhaps that didn't even matter anymore. The lip paint he'd been so worried about was now smeared all over his cock, and her tears had left black streaks all down her reddened cheeks.
"Good girl, Azul-aaaaah…!"
Ozai moaned loudly as she gripped the base of his dick, the part that he just couldn't fit into her mouth, and began a simple yet effective pumping motion. And, for what he was sure was his benefit entirely, she moaned, too. All of that combined sent him over the edge.
Gritting his teeth, he held Azula's head in place and shot his load down her throat, his pelvis bucking wildly against her face as a wave of euphoria emanated from his throbbing cock. Up his spine, throughout his whole body, leaving him panting raggedly and trying to catch his breath.
Fuck, he needed that.
Once he was sure she had swallowed, he pulled his daughter off his cock and let her go.
Azula gasped for air and coughed pathetically, clutching her heaving and still exposed chest.
"What, was that too much for you?" Ozai taunted, procuring a handkerchief from his sleeve.
"Only because your cock is so big, Daddy," she answered, as he wiped it clean.
How did she always know the right thing to say?
Well, it wasn't as if it was hollow flattery, he was indeed bigger than other men… not that Azula had any real basis for comparison, she was just smart and perceptive. She knew he was the perfect man, that she couldn't possibly aim any higher. And she was the perfect woman, and that was why they belonged together. They were above everything, and everyone.
The Phoenix King smiled, content, dropping his robes and smoothing them back down into place. He then helped her up to stand.
"I hope I didn't hurt you, Little Princess."
He gave her a kiss on the forehead and stroked her hair, the way she liked ever since she was little.
"No, Daddy. But…"
She bit her swollen lip and looked down at her feet, embarrassed.
It took him a fraction of a second to figure out what the problem was.
While it was tempting to leave Azula wet and wanting, he knew they needed to continue her treatment, if her most recent outburst was any indication. The royal physician had said, explicitly, that frequent sexual climax was the remedy for… what had he called it again..?
Hysteria. Yes, that was it.
"Ask nicely." Ozai smirked, triumphantly. "And perhaps I'll give you what you want."
He might as well enjoy this, too.
"Please, Daddy? Please let me cum, I need it so bad," she pleaded, looking like she was going to start crying again if he didn't take care of her… but she could do better than that.
He didn't say anything, just looked at her expectantly.
"Please! You just touch me and fuck me so good, no other man could ever satisfy me- I couldn't satisfy myself, even if I tried! I need you, Daddy. Please, please, please-"
"Keep doing that if you want to cum."
More gently than he ordinarily would have, he pushed Azula into the nearest wall, forcing her back against the hard wood. Closing the distance between them, he brought one hand up to her neck as the other rucked up her skirt. Eyeing the collar he'd had made for her, to mark her as his wherever she went, along with the faint bruises scattered around it, Ozai leaned in to kiss the space where her neck met her shoulder.
Soon, his kisses turned to bites, then he sucked at her skin until he made another mark. Considering how powerful she was otherwise, downright deadly if she wanted to be, Azula bruised so easily. He never could get over that.
"Please, Daddy," she begged again, as he rubbed at her inner thigh, his fingers slowly crawling upward.
He couldn't help himself from pawing at her breasts again, eventually stopping to pinch and tease one of her nipples. They'd always been sensitive but lately he noticed it was doing more for her than usual whenever he took the time to give them some special attention. Smirking at her strangled moan, his mouth went for the other, sucking and nibbling greedily. Perhaps it was pregnancy having this effect but what he really cared about was the outcome, not the cause. The sweet little moans he coaxed out of her were the most wonderful sound in the world.
"Please, it hurts now," Azula pleaded, bucking her hips impatiently while he enjoyed her tits some more.
"Please, just touch me, Daddy!"
He let her nipple go so that he could speak.
He really could suck on those beautiful breasts all day if they had the time but the Phoenix King knew very well that the water bitch would come bursting through the door at any minute, informing him their presence was required.
"Such a greedy little slut," Ozai crooned, finally slipping his hand inside her panties.
She was so wet for him that when he found what he was looking for, her cunt just sucked his fingers right in.
"Hm, looks like your cunt's as greedy as you are, My Azula."
"Only for you, Daddy."
Only for him indeed, no other man would ever touch her like this. No other man would ever know how tight and hot she was inside, despite her cold demeanor.
Two fingers slid back and forth so easily, no resistance beyond her natural tightness as she clamped down around them and spread her legs open as far as she could, granting him easier access. Now, he was able to get in deeper, curling his fingers and pressing them into a well-known sweet spot. Azula squeaked in surprise and excitement, and clung to his robe.
"Daddy! Please!"
Keep going
She bit her lip in that way that drove him crazy, starting to move along with him, grinding into his hand.
"Mmm, your fingers feel so good inside my pussy, Daddy. Please don't stop!"
Well, she sure knew how to put on a show, and he never grew tired of it.
"I won't," Ozai reassured, rewarding her by swiping his thumb over her clit.
"Oh!" she cried out, almost falling over, but luckily he was there to steady her.
The hand that had been roaming her chest was now on her firm little ass, squeezing and groping. Every part of her was magnificent, built for fucking.
"Play with your tits, baby, the way Daddy does. You'll feel even better," he instructed, rubbing her hard, needy clit in consistent circles as she moaned and bucked.
Gods, he loved the sight of that, of Azula pinching, twisting, and pulling her own nipples.
A rare sight as she was such an obedient wife and daughter that she never gave herself pleasure unless he specifically requested it, or less commonly, if she asked his permission.
Soon enough, the sounds she was making turned to full on screams, and her movements became erratic, uncontrolled.
"Daddy! Please!" she cried, absolutely shameless.
She knew everyone could hear her, too, and she didn't care either… or, perhaps she did but it just felt so good that she couldn't focus on anything else. Ozai was inclined to believe it was the latter, as he pressed his thumb into her clit and rubbed furiously, and her body responded accordingly. Her cunt pulsed in orgasm around his fingers and he watched in awe as her entire body shuddered, tits bouncing deliciously.
"Such a good girl, Azula," the Phoenix King marveled, then he pressed a kiss to her sweat-dampened forehead.
Unable to respond with words just yet, she could only stare lovingly into his eyes, the room filled with the sound of her heavy, panting breaths.
"You look so pretty when you cum for Daddy."
Ozai withdrew his fingers, satisfied he'd done his duty as her husband.
Just as he reached for his handkerchief again, there was a series of swift knocks on the door.
"Your Highness?" called an annoying but familiar voice from the other said.
The water bitch. Spoiling their fun as always.
He could have laughed as Azula struggled to fix her skirt and smooth out her hair as best she could, apparently forgetting her tits were out. Just in case anyone else was around to see, he helped her tuck them back into place, secretly relieved he hadn't damaged the dress in his earlier haste (though, nothing could be done about the fact that she didn't have her bindings anymore, and her nipples were pitching through the fabric). Ah, well, no one could say Ozai wasn't capable of being a gentleman when the occasion called for it. Just in time, too, as the door swung open, revealing the positively scandalized faces of the waterbender and one of the old men.
"Apologies, Your Highness but… it's time," she said, simply.
"Help your Queen, she can't be seen like this," he ordered, referring to his daughter's less than perfect hair and make-up.
"Right away, Sir," the girl replied, which pleased him.
Perhaps, she had learnt her place after all.
All women should be subservient to men, of course, but her kind needed to defer to their betters no matter what anyone's respective sex. The Fire Nation was above the Water Tribes in every way that mattered, and it was as simple as that. The Fire Nation sought to bring them, and the entire world, prosperity. Industry, culture. Things far beyond the comprehension of their simple minds and primal instincts. The war was doing them a favor, really…
Not that Ozai was able to concern himself with all of that right now. All that mattered was the trial - fucking finally!
With that, he left Azula and her servant to their own devices. They were silly little girls, it was to be expected that they would waste time primping and arrive late, and there was no use delaying things on their behalf.
The Fire Sage led him back out into the main chamber, where the peasants were already waiting. Baying for blood every bit as much as he. The crowd was at least twenty thick and ten wide, and growing. As many as could possibly fit forced their way into the temple, shoving and crowding and elbowing like the disgusting miscreants they were. Ozai couldn't stand the commoners, they were more Azula's department.
As such, he ignored them, tuning out their taunts and jeers which were no doubt directed at his son and-
"Daughter fucker! Your kind should be culled!"
"Boooooo!"
"Disgusting!"
"Usurper! Iroh is the rightful Fire Lord!"
…Iroh?!
How dare-!
Suddenly, something soft, warm, and wet pelted the side of his face. What was..?
He reached up to touch it. The unknown substance felt slimy and gross on his fingers, and upon looking at the mess, he realized it was a tomato-carrot. A rotten one, judging by the smell.
Someone threw a fucking tomato-carrot at him!
Him?! Their King!
And worse than that, they were laughing about it!
Ozai saw red.
The peasants' laughter turned to screams of terror as he blasted fire into the crowd, wild and uncontrolled.
"WHO?! WHO THREW IT?!" he roared, shooting lightning in the vaguely correct direction.
Those who were able to scattered, though at least two were hit and dropped to the floor like sacks of flour. Dead or alive, he wasn't sure, but whatever their fates were, they had brought them upon themselves.
"Who dares disrespect your King!" he shouted, seething, electricity crackling in both hands, ready to strike down the man who had-
Much to his surprise, it wasn't a man at all. The culprit they pushed forward was a stunning, raven-haired young woman, with a round face and flawless pale skin. She actually reminded him of Ursa quite a bit.
They locked eyes.
She looked upon him not with fear, as he assumed she would, but with a defiant sneer. Who did this little bitch think she was?! Well, he'd teach her some manners yet.
"You think this is funny, do you?" Ozai asked, rhetorically, advancing on her like a predator stalking its prey.
"Fuck you, Ozai! You're no King, you're a murderer and a usurper!"
The crowd let out a collective gasp.
"And your so-called Queen?" she spat at Azula, who had unsurprisingly come to see what all the commotion was about for herself.
"She's just a whore who got promoted! The both of you are a mockery, a stain on our nation's great history, and one day you will answer for-!"
"TRAITOROUS BITCH!" he screamed in her face, slapping her so hard she fell over.
"Does this make you feel like more of a man, huh?! What's next, you'll challenge me to an Agni Kai, too!" the woman screeched, hysterical.
"I am your KING! And you? You're just a peasant. You don't even deserve the honor of a duel, or of dying by my hand."
The room fell completely silent. The large crowd, Azula, and the Fire Sages alike were now hanging on his every word.
"What's obvious to me is that you didn't have a father to teach you how to behave like a lady. I'm betting all he did was fuck a whore, whelp another, then die drunk and penniless in a gutter."
From the way her expression changed, he could tell he was right. All she was was some fatherless slut, desperate to feel powerful even for a second… well, not at his expense!
"Allow me to show you your place, as is my duty as the father of our entire nation. Guards, restrain her!"
No, he wasn't going to kill her. He was going to knock her down, humiliate her. Show her her rightful place below him, below all men.
The resulting struggle was just about the most pathetic display of firebending he'd ever seen, rivaling even that of Zuko struggling through basic forms as a child. In a matter of seconds, the woman was restrained, and dragged to the front of the room to stand before the audience, awaiting her inevitable punishment… and still, she had the gall to look proud of herself.
Though, when she realized what exactly it was he had in mind, she was crying and begging him to stop.
Ah, so now she knows how to act?
Ozai just laughed, stripping her of her clothing until she was bare as the day she was born. Right here in the temple, in front of hundreds of people. Satisfied, he watched her cute little tits jiggle as she struggled against the two men holding her arms out, desperate to cover herself.
Some amongst the crowd looked uncomfortable, even offended. Others appeared to be enjoying themselves, particularly the men in the front row, now whistling and taunting her with various vulgarities. But whatever anyone's personal feelings about the matter, no one dared step up to try and help the sobbing, nude woman.
They knew better.
"Well, you're pretty naked. I'll give you that," Ozai complimented, looking her up and down.
From her puffy, dark nipples that were hardening in fear to her small waist and gracefully flared hips, then finally her hairy cunt.
"Perhaps, if you learn your lesson here today, there's hope for you yet. Maybe you'll find yourself a husband, serve him faithfully…"
He roughly pinched her left nipple, twisting it as she cried out. He could rip it right off, but what a waste that would be.
"Apologize and I'll let you leave here with your life, and your tits, intact."
Smirking, he applied a bit of heat and twisted harder.
"Please, Your Highness! I'm sorry!"
Gods, he loved the sound of a woman begging. Had Azula not serviced him mere moments ago, he was sure his cock would be hard right now… and speaking of his daughter, she looked unhappy. Jealous that he was touching another girl, no doubt. Irrational, as no one could rival her beauty, but she'd always been this way. Ever since she was little, she couldn't stand sharing him with anyone, not even his wife and son. She always had to be the one to sit next to him. Hold his hand, sit on his lap.
Azula was owed an apology, too, he supposed - this miserable wench had called her a whore! No, no one would disrespect her and get away with it. An insult to his Queen was an insult to Ozai himself!
"And? Isn't there something you'd like to say to my Queen as well?"
She remained silent, save her pathetic crying and blubbering.
He pinched both of her nipples, pulling and twisting them hard, making her squeal in pain.
"I'm… sorry…" she whimpered.
She even had the nerve to look to Azula for sympathy.
Ozai snorted.
"Pathetic…"
Predictably, she offered the girl nothing save for a cold, mirthless smile.
Good.
"Get this whore out of my sight," he said to the guards, giving those juicy nipples one last tug before they carried her off.
"Clear a path- now!" one of them shouted.
And sure enough, the crowd made way for the procession, and the still sobbing and pitiful woman, though they did not hesitate to throw things at her now. Oh, how the tables had turned…
Mercilessly, they spat at her, pelted her naked body with various types of rotting fruits and vegetables. They were like… like animals. Always wanting something to attack, it didn't matter who or what. And thankfully, Ozai had given them a new target.
At least, until the temple doors flew open and the woman was tossed out into the busy streets like yesterday's trash, without even so much as a tattered rag to cover herself. Whatever else happened to her after that, he couldn't say, nor did he particularly care.
She had gotten what she deserved.
"Now with that nasty business out of the way…" mumbled one of the Fire Sages, whom Ozai could tell was struggling with his own sanctimonious ideals regarding propriety, kindness, and whatever other bullshit they taught in those schools for so-called men who would surely never know the warmth of a woman's flesh even if they hadn't taken vows of chastity.
What a miserable existence, but that was the way the world worked. Some men were just inferior to others.
"Bring forth the accused!"
And speaking of…
Ozai hadn't even seen the boy in weeks, not since that day shortly before he and Azula's wedding, the day he had done him the courtesy of informing him what an utter failure he truly was.
The doors to the temple opened for the second time in short succession, and entered the Imperial Firebenders, disgraced and shackled prince in tow… even at a distance, he could see that imprisonment had taken its toll on Zuko. Agni, he looked half dead already, pale as the grave and bone-thin. It was honestly a wonder that fever hadn't taken him, given the state of his injuries and lack of proper medical attention.
If only Azula had finished the job then, on the eve of the comet.
But even he could concede that it wasn't due to lack of trying. He himself had tried more than once to put an end to all of this and yet somehow, the whelp had come out of it alive, perhaps fueled by pure spite.
Well, not this time.
Now, there was no one around to protect him. Not that meddling old fool, Iroh, nor that insolent whore, Ursa… and most certainly not his Azula. Surely now, she understood the error of her ways. After all, it was her who had given him one last chance to prove himself. She'd brought him back into the fold, at great personal risk, only for Zuko to do the only thing he knew how to do.
Lie. Deceive. Betray.
It was second nature to him, for he had learned from the best - the Phoenix King's own brother, greatest traitor of them all.
"His Royal Highness, Phoenix King Ozai, and Her Royal Highness, Phoenix Queen Azula, shall preside over this trial," the Head Sage proclaimed, gesturing toward the makeshift judge's bench, which had been afforded two seats instead of the usual one.
As Zuko and his own Imperial Firebenders approached, it was then Ozai realized he had been digging his fingernails into his palms, hard enough to bleed.
He could only hope this would be over quickly…